Well I've decided I'm in the market for a 3rd Gen Camaro. As with all my purchases I'm researching the hell out of it. This car is going to be my daily driver and my "fun car" I want it to be as fast as possible. I have a shop availible to me where I can do my own work so I'm willing to put more money out for this car cause I do all the work on my own. Now my question. I know the 350 doesn't come with a manual, however which would be easier and cheapest.... Buying a 305 with a T5 and throwing in a 350, or buying a 350 with an auto and putting in a manual? I have the capability to rebuild the 350 so buying a used one isn't a big deal to me. I don't mind spending the money to buy a manual tranny off jegs too.

 

Buy a 350 with auto. Sell the 700r4 then get a beefed up t5 or maybe a t56.

 

much easier to swap engines than to swap from auto to manual trannies, although the T-5 trans in 305 cars isn't that strong either so i'd vote for a 350/T56 combo of some sort.

 

How much you want to spend? LS1 backed by a T56 is now a bolt in swap, and that would make one bad@$$ 3rd gen!

IMO, buy a 350 car and swap in a T56 and a 12-bolt or 9" rear. When that's paid off dive into the motor. You'll be happier in the long run. The drivelines in these cars are far weaker than the engines.